Barmby is set for stand-in role with Joyce Hull’s ultimate target

Reports in the national media over the weekend suggested a deal had been struck between the Tigers and the Foxes over the 46-year-old becoming Sven Goran Eriksson’s successor.

However, the Yorkshire Post understands no such agreement has yet been reached – though that may well change over the next 24 hours or so with further talks planned.

With Pearson, who has 19 months left on his contract, still technically manager at the KC Stadium, Hull have been unable to make concrete progress in their search for a replacement.

Warren Joyce, currently in charge of Manchester United’s reserve team, is believed to have been sounded out about a possible return to the East Riding.

But until Pearson’s departure can be rubber-stamped, the Hull board’s hands are tied – opening up the possibility that Barmby, who took training last week, will be in charge at Pride Park this Saturday.

It is understood the Tigers’ hierarchy are relaxed about this prospect, believing the former England international to have considerable managerial potential.

Barmby is also seen as a strong contender to be assistant manager should Joyce take charge. The pair know each other well due to Barmby’s son being a member of the Old Trafford club’s youth set-up.

The hold-up in Pearson’s planned return to Leicester is believed to centre around a number of issues and not just Hull’s demand for £1m plus in compensation, a figure that the Foxes’ Thai owners initially baulked at to spark suggestions in the East Midlands last week that they might look elsewhere.

That possibility appears to have diminished with sources at both clubs indicating a compromise should be struck at some stage this week, the talks being given an air of urgency at the Leicester end by the club’s lowly 12th place standing after considerable summer investment.

Whether the compromise proves to be much closer to Hull’s valuation remains to be seen.

The saga began in the immediate aftermath of Lee Clark’s rejection of the Leicester vacancy on November 3, a move that caused the spotlight to fall on Pearson.

He initially appeared to be trying to distance himself from the speculation only for it to soon become apparent that there was a will on both Leicester’s and Pearson’s part for a reunion.

The 46-year-old asked the Tigers board for permission to speak to the Foxes a week ago only to be told a satisfactory compensation package had to be agreed first.

It was made clear that not only did Hull expect the £700,000 get-out clause in Pearson’s contract to be paid in full but they also wanted an additional £500,000.

A stalemate ensued, which despite talks over the weekend is still to be broken.

Joyce’s previous spell in charge of Hull as player-manager included the ‘Great Escape’ season of 1998-99 when the club survived in the Football League despite all having seemed lost at one stage.

Hull are believed to have identified a number of possible replacements for Pearson including Milton Keynes Dons’ Karl Robinson and former Barnsley chief Mark Robins. But Joyce remains the overwhelming favourite.